Live updates: Markwayne Mullin to be sworn in as DHS head amid shutdown talks, ICE deployment to airports
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Mullin replaces Kristi Noem, who was removed from the Cabinet position after mounting criticism of her leadership at the Department of Homeland Security.
What to know today
- MULLIN SWEARING-IN: Sen. Markwayne Mullin will be sworn in as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security this afternoon in a ceremony at the White House with President Donald Trump. Mullin was confirmed by the Senate last night and replaces Kristi Noem.
- DHS SHUTDOWN TALKS: A path to a deal to reopen the Department of Homeland Security that the White House appears to support is emerging, four sources familiar with negotiations between the White House and Congress tell NBC News. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters yesterday that he believed negotiations were "in a good spot."
- RUBIO TESTIMONY: Secretary of State Marco Rubio is testifying this morning in the federal trial of a former Miami congressman accused of secretly lobbying for Venezuela’s government during the first Trump administration. Rubio's testimony will be the first time in more than 40 years that a Cabinet secretary has appeared as a witness in a criminal case.
Nearly 11% of TSA officers called out yesterday, DHS says
Nearly 11% of Transportation Security Administration officers called out of work yesterday, according to Lauren Bis, the acting assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security.
TSA officers have been working without pay, and more than 450 of them have quit since the lapse in DHS funding began more than a month ago, Bis said. Democratic lawmakers have demanded reforms to immigration enforcement agencies in order to fund the entire department, and Republicans have rejected Democratic efforts to fund TSA alone.
Several of the country's busiest airports saw soaring rates of TSA officers calling out of work. More than a third of TSA officers called out at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, for example, while more than 40% called out in the Houston area and more than 37% called did so at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International airport.
The TSA shortages are leading to hourslong wait times to get through security at several airports across the country.
Republicans zero in on deal to fund DHS
A path to a deal to reopen the Department of Homeland Security that the White House appears to support is emerging, four sources familiar with negotiations between the White House and Congress tell NBC News.
The path involves funding part of ICE — the part that combats trafficking, but not funding Enforcement and Removal Operations, which handles deportations — in addition to funding the rest of DHS. Republicans would then attempt to use reconciliation to fund the rest of ICE and pass limited portions of the SAVE America Act that can be done through the reconciliation process.
One source with knowledge of the talks said the details of what the Senate can pass in reconciliation regarding the SAVE America Act will be limited by the budgetary constraints. One idea is to provide financial incentives to states to implement voter ID laws; another idea is to send money to DHS to “monitor elections” and conduct election security, the source said.
A White House official tells NBC News that conversations are still ongoing but this seems to be an acceptable solution.
A source familiar with the negotiations tells NBC News that Democrats are open to the Republican proposal but aren’t ready to endorse the plan until they see the specific text. Democrats also expect that, after seeing the concrete GOP proposal, they will still ask for additional concessions. While they are anxious to get DHS funding approved, they are still asking for specific restrictions from the administration as it relates to ICE operations before voting yes on any proposal.
No vote on this potential plan is set since formal text has not yet been released. To fast track a deal, Democrats would have to consent to speed up the process and bring the bill to the floor for a vote.
Oklahoma’s governor picks energy executive Alan Armstrong to fill Mullin's Senate seat
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced at a press conference this morning that energy executive Alan Armstrong will temporarily fill Markwayne Mullin’s Senate seat after he was confirmed as homeland security secretary last night.
Armstrong is the former CEO and current board chairman of Williams Cos. and has never served in elected office.
Armstrong is set to be sworn in today at 3:30 p.m., a source familiar with the plan told NBC News.
Armstrong’s tenure will be very brief. According to Oklahoma law, he must sign an affidavit vowing not to run for a full term. He will serve out the rest of Mullin’s term, until a new person is elected to fill the seat for a full 6-year term in the 2026 midterm elections. The current front-runner in that race is Trump-endorsed Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla.
“Alan is a proud third-generation Oklahoman, staunch conservative, respected business leader, and a devoted family man with an inspiring American Dream story,” Stitt wrote in a post on X. “He is entering the U.S. Senate at a critical time for advancing reforms to secure America’s energy future. I have no doubt that his perspective will be influential in moving the needle on permitting reform to unlock American competitiveness and energy affordability for generations to come.”
Melania Trump speaks at global summit to ‘empower children’ through education
First lady Melania Trump delivered the opening remarks at the Fostering the Future Together global summit in Washington, D.C., as the coalition of nations aims to empower children through education and technology.
Trump administration names influencer Nick Adams special envoy rather than renominating him for ambassadorship
Self-described "alpha male" influencer Nick Adams announced this morning that Trump appointed him to be special presidential envoy for American tourism, exceptionalism and values.
The State Department website says Adams started the role last week. It's unclear what his role specifically entails, but the statement shared by Adams says he "will play a vital role in revitalizing America’s diplomatic position as a beacon of free speech, the freedom to worship, and a land of unlimited opportunity for those who align with the traditions and values of the United States of America."
Adams was previously nominated to be ambassador to Malaysia, but the Senate did not vote on his confirmation before the last Congress adjourned in early January.
Adams has previously criticized "the perils of radical feminism" and has posted video messaged with titles like "“How to flirt like a gentleman” and “How to be a confident Alpha.”
Rubio takes witness stand at former roommate's criminal trial
Secretary of State Marco Rubio was the first witness called this morning in the criminal trial of his former friend David Rivera, who's charged with secretly lobbying for Venezuela's government during the first Trump administration.
Rubio is testifying for the prosecution in the case.
Asked if he's currently employed, Rubio smiled and said he's the secretary of state and the president's national security adviser.
His testimony marks the first time in more than 40 years that a Cabinet secretary has testified in a criminal case, according to The Associated Press.
Long lines persist after ICE agents deployed to U.S. airports
Armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and other DHS officers are being deployed to major airports across the United States, including Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, as security wait times grow. On Capitol Hill, there are still no solutions to end the partial government shutdown that has resulted in the widespread TSA staffing issues. NBC’s Aaron Gilchrist reports for "TODAY."
America’s wealth gap is growing, and Trump’s policies are making it bigger
How’s the economy?
Not bad if you’re rich.
Demand for luxury yachts and private jets is surging thanks to last year’s tax law. Sales of $10 million-plus mansions are booming as stocks hit new highs. And the wealthy and powerful will get to enjoy a new ballroom for galas at the White House.
What if you aren’t rich?
The typical American can’t afford the median-priced home. A new car is out of reach for many, with the average monthly payment exceeding $700. Food banks are seeing a growing number of people skipping meals because they can’t afford groceries, and more middle-class Americans are selling their plasma to make ends meet.
New federal prosecutor to take the helm in New Jersey after months of upheaval
A career prosecutor is set to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey after successful consultations between federal judges and the Trump administration that were preceded by months of legal fights and significant turnover.
Robert Frazer, who has served in the New Jersey U.S. attorney’s office for more than two decades and was most recently its senior trial counsel, will become the top federal prosecutor in the state.
The chief judge for the district signed a one-sentence order yesterday appointing Frazer. The same day, a letter signed by an assistant U.S. attorney in the office said Frazer’s appointment “followed consultations between the District Court and the Department of Justice’s senior leadership.”
Senate Republicans optimistic about DHS funding after meeting with Trump
Senate Republicans expressed optimism about a path on DHS funding last night after a small group of them met with Trump at the White House.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she would not “get into the details that were agreed on at the White House, but I will say that I’m optimistic that we’re on a good track.”
Asked whether Republicans had a solution to funding DHS, Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama said, “We do.”
Britt, who was spotted at the White House last evening along with Sens. Steve Daines of Montana and Bernie Moreno of Ohio, deferred to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., on sharing the specifics of the plan.
Thune, who was not at the White House meeting, said there was nothing to announce “at this point,” but he said he heard the meeting was positive. Later, Thune said he feels “good about it,” adding that the “White House meeting, I think, was very constructive.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said, “Both sides are talking in a serious way.”
Schumer was spotted on the Senate floor tonight talking with Britt, Moreno and Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., meanwhile, expressed frustration that the Senate was “not making any progress” on funding DHS.
“Maybe there’s some major breakthrough with the White House that Katie’s talking about, but every one of these meetings could be an email,” said Kennedy, who was not at the White House and had not yet spoken to Britt.
Trump said in Memphis today that he told Republicans not to make a deal with Democrats on funding DHS, which is in a partial shutdown, unless there’s an agreement on passing the massive voting overhaul bill known as the SAVE America Act, which Democrats oppose.
Rubio to testify in trial of former roommate accused of secretly lobbying for Venezuela
Secretary of State Marco Rubio set to testify this morning in the federal trial of a former Miami congressman accused of secretly lobbying for Venezuela’s government during the first Trump administration.
Prosecutors allege David Rivera was a hired gun for former President Nicolás Maduro, leveraging Republican connections from his time in Congress to push the White House to abandon its hard line on Venezuela’s socialist government.
Mullin to be sworn in as homeland security secretary
Sen. Markwayne Mullin will be sworn in as homeland security secretary this afternoon at the White House.
Mullin was confirmed last night by a vote of 54-45, with two Democrats — Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico — joining with Republicans to support his confirmation. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the lone Republican to vote against him.
Trump is expected to participate in Mullin's swearing-in ceremony.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, will appoint a temporary replacement to fill Mullin's seat.
